Further research of the Willandra Lakes fossil footprint site, southeastern Australia

Journal of Human Evolution
(2007)

Steve Webb, Bond University

Abstract

This paper presents further results from continuing research on a large fossil human footprint site dated to between 23–19 ka and located in the Willandra World Heritage Area, western New South Wales, Australia. It follows publication of initial investigations undertaken in 2003–2004 (Webb et al., 2006). That paper described the discovery of 123 adult and juvenile footprints, including eight individual trackways across a paleowetland close to one of a series of fossil lakes. Here I report the discovery of additional trackways and other marks from further excavation. The work has broadened our understanding of the activities of Ice Age groups inhabiting the region, as well as the environment in which they lived.